Via WWLP: SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Local teenagers are spending their February vacation building functional gaming computers from scratch through a free workshop in Springfield. The “Build Your Own Gaming PC” class provides students with hands-on experience in science, technology, engineering, and math.
The program, held at Make-It-Springfield, is organized by Springfield.Community, a small nonprofit that refurbishes donated electronics for families in need. Participants in the workshop learn to assemble every component of the machines and are allowed to take the finished computers home after the class concludes.
The program focuses on teaching students how to install hardware, wire various components, and program the devices. Participants also learn how to troubleshoot technical issues in real time, providing them with a rare look at the inner workings of electronic devices.
Dante, a student volunteer for the program, assists in teaching participants about computer assembly and accessibility. “Most people don’t know how to make one or what’s going on inside, and it’s really nice how we get to teach people about that, along with the fact that some people can’t afford computers,” Dante said.
Mia, a student participant in the workshop, said they joined because of their interest in coding. Mia has previously studied the Java programming language and compares technical skills to learning a foreign language. “Because it is fun. Learning all the new coding languages. I know a little bit about Java; it’s just fun to learn about different things. You know how people learn other languages? Well, this is like a language,” Mia said.
Abbie Gonzalez, executive director of Springfield.Community, said the skills learned in the class are designed to be applicable regardless of future technology shifts. “Like, on a low level, how does a computer work? It’s the things that you can take with you, no matter where the trends go. So if this AI trend, in one way or another, doesn’t matter, they will be able to take what they learned here and apply it to whatever the next trend is,” Gonzalez said.
The workshop was funded in part by grants from the Springfield Rotary Club and the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Beyond the technical training, the program aims to bridge the digital divide for families in Western Massachusetts.
Springfield.Community will announce a summer program in the coming months. Further details regarding the upcoming schedule are expected to be released following the conclusion of the winter session.
Springfield teens build gaming PCs in free workshop - 22News Springfield